Catholic order says widespread sexual abuse of Victorian children was an 'accident of history'

The Christian Brothers have told Victoria's child abuse inquiry the extraordinary level of child sexual abuse in Ballarat in the early 1970s was an accident of history but the Catholic order apologised unreservedly for what it described as 'the crimes of a few'.

Transcript

EMMA ALBERICI, PRESENTER: The Christian Brothers have told Victoria's child abuse inquiry that the extraordinary level of sexual abuse, child sexual abuse perpetuated by members of their order in Ballarat in the 1970s was an quote and "accident of history". After admitting they once hired a private investigator to spy on a victim of abuse, the Catholic order apologised unreservedly for what it described the crimes of a few.

Hamish Fitzsimmons reports.

HAMISH FITZSIMMONS, REPORTER: It was a statement many in the gallery needed to hear.

JULIAN MCDONALD, PROVINCE LEADER, CHRISTIAN BROTHERS: It is true that there was some mistakes made and they've had devastating consequences on victims. I cannot defend the and I will not try to defend the indefensible.

HAMISH FITZSIMMONS: The leaders of the Christian Brothers in the region faced pointed questioning from the members of the parliamentary inquiry about how the rape children by a number of clergy in Ballarat in the 1970s when unchecked.

GEORGIE CROZIER MP, CHAIRWOMAN, VIC PARLIAMENT INQUIRY: Could you explain to the committee why this extraordinary state of affairs was allowed to occur?

JULIAN MCDONALD: I have no adequate explanation for that madam chair. It is certainly an accident of history. It was a terrible, terrible situation. The lives of young people were devastated by those who offended at St Alipius's school in Ballarat. That's of great shame to us and a terrible, terrible thing to happen to the victims.

HAMISH FITZSIMMONS: The order says things have changed.

JULIAN MCDONALD: There was a culture that kept things secret. We have to address the sickness of the congregation of the Christian Brothers so that nobody is harmed into the future.

HAMISH FITZSIMMONS: The gallery gasped when the order admitted to spending over $1 million on the legal defence of its worst offender, Brother Robert Best.

BRIAN BRANDON, CHRISTIAN BROTHERS: This matter in relation to Brother Robert Best spiralled out of our control, but we're not happy with that... that they...

HAMISH FITZSIMMONS: There was more. A letter read out to the hearing explained that in the 1990s a private investigator was hired to spy on a victim of Robert Best's at a cost of $8,000.

BRIAN BRANDON: He has requested that we make discrete inquiries through a private investigator to try and find out something about this man as his behaviour is bizarre and if the reason can be ascertained, it would be of enormous assistance to Bob's case

HAMISH FITZSIMMONS: The order says in the past 80 years 266 people have made abuse complaints, six brothers have been convicted.

JULIAN MCDONALD: This is something that all Christian Brothers have inherited and it reflects on all of us. The good men as well as those who failed children very, very badly.

HAMISH FITZSIMMONS: Four of those remain in the order, including Brother Robert Dowling and Brother Robert Best

DAVID O'BRIEN MP, VIC. PARLIAMENT INQUIRY: I put to you that the attitude of this correspondence show that is Christian Brothers far from being repentant still remain protective of not only Brother Dowling but other brothers including Brother Best. Do you agree?

JULIAN MCDONALD: No it is not about repentance, it is about obligation and caring for people who would just be put on the scrap heap.

STEPHEN WOODS, ABUSE SURVIVOR: They're spending so much money on lawyers, they're spending so much money on defending themselves, and they are just not being transparent. If they were more transparent, more honest, more Christ like, they would be believable.

HAMISH FITZSIMMONS: Late this afternoon, the committee heard from the head of the Church's compensation panel that deals with abuse victims. He says he believes no amount of money can compensate for the abuse people have suffered.

Hamish Fitzsimmons, Lateline.

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